JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News Elyzabeth Farrell of Painted Makeup in New York City paints a design for Lana Taylor, 8, of New Cumberland, at Artsfest at Riverfront Park in Harrisburg on Saturday.

The new $5 cover charge for the three-day Harrisburg Artsfest seemed to have little impact on crowds arriving Saturday to shop for art, enjoy live music and sample the food.

Russell was one of six people from Knoxville, Tenn., working behind a row of elaborately decorated grills and bushel bowls full of Greek salad.

Proprietor Peter Chronis said he didn’t have a problem with the admission fee.

“I think it’s going to be all right, I really do,” Chronis said. “You’re talking $1.60 a day for some great scenery, artwork and music. You can’t beat that.”

The gates opened 30 minutes early Saturday morning because people were lining up, said Robert Stadnycki, the executive director of the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council, which organizes The Patriot-News Artsfest of Greater Harrisburg.

As people filed through the gates, some of the food vendors said they expected a smaller crowd and less business because of the new fee.

“I’m thinking it’s going to hurt us some,” said Rick Snyder of Bellefonte. “Local people who would come here and eat are not going to come now. That’s just the way it is.”

Snyder’s family, which has been in the food concession business for nearly 50 years, has five trailers at the show.

Snyder said he has seen crowds drop at other events that began to charge a fee, but then the crowd rebounded in subsequent years.

“At first, people don’t like the change,” he said. “The next years they sort of forget about that, and it picks up again.”

Snyder said a smaller crowd wouldn’t change his decision to participate. “Robert [Stadnycki] does a super, super job. We feel like down here we’re welcome and appreciated, and there are not too many shows like that.”

While most people — vendors, artists and visitors — said they had no problem with the fee, a few said they believed it would keep some people away, and they were sorry about that.

“The less-fortunate people in the community could bring their families and see the art, and they can’t now,” said Anna Foley of Watertown, N.Y., who was exhibiting jewelry. “There are not many free events for people, and this was a nice one.”

Gerald Rhoades of Susquehanna Township said: “I work up on Allison Hill, and $5 does prevent some people from coming down here and enjoying the festival. It’s true they might not spend a lot of money, but they could enjoy it.”

As the hours passed, the sun broke through the clouds, and the crowd began to press. People stood five-deep in front of the food stands, and all the picnic tables were filled.

“It’s picking up. I’m impressed for a Saturday,” Snyder said.

At midday, Stadnycki said, “I’m floored how busy we are. I can’t imagine what’s going to happen Sunday and Monday.”

The largest crowds are usually on Sunday, he said, while the artists take in the most money Monday.

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